With a maximum length of 1 meter Oxydoras niger belongs to the largest species of thorny catfishes. Nevertheless it is a very peaceful species and therefore quite attractive for owners of very large aquariums, show aquariums and zoos. Fully grown these fishes are uniformly black (this is exactly what the species name “niger” = black means), half grown the fins are black and the body is silver-gray. Very young animals are reddish brown and have numerous spots.
Mostly we import these animals from Peru in small sizes of 4-10 cm; we always had slight doubts whether these brown spotted animals really become the black submarines. Therefore we simply put one aside in the last season. This fish is now 30 cm long and confirms indeed: it is Oxydoras niger, without ifs and buts.
For our customers: the animals have code 284200 (4-6 cm), 284201 (6-8 cm) and 284207 (30 cm, only one animal!) on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale. Only available in small quantities!
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
